TURLOCK, Calif. — Stan State fell to Cal Poly Pomona, 10–4, in the series opener Friday evening at Warrior Baseball Field, as Zach Lewis and Jacob Reyes each recorded multiple hits and Evan Fanconi posted a season-high six strikeouts in relief.
The Warriors (12-14, 3-6 CCAA) recorded six hits and drew six walks, using a four-run fourth inning to erase an early deficit before Cal Poly Pomona — receiving votes nationally in the Collegiate Baseball Poll — pulled away with runs in the fifth, sixth and ninth.
Cal Poly Pomona (16-7, 8-1 CCAA) struck first in the opening inning and added two more in the second to take a 3–1 lead. Stan State got on the board in the first when Tyler Crudo scored on a sacrifice fly by Chris Ortiz to even the game at 1–1.
The Broncos continued to build their lead with single runs in the third and fourth, including a solo home run from Jack Sanders, extending the advantage to 5–1.
Stan State responded with its biggest inning in the fourth. The Warriors capitalized on a Bronco error and loaded the bases before Jacob Haros delivered an RBI single. AJ Carter followed with a bases-loaded walk, and Crudo added a sacrifice fly as Stan State scored four unearned runs to tie the game at 5–5.
Cal Poly Pomona answered immediately in the fifth on a solo home run by Evan Nahra to regain the lead. The Broncos added two more runs in the sixth on Nahra's two-run double to push the advantage to 8–4.
Stan State threatened in the sixth when Jacob Reyes doubled and advanced to third on a passed ball, but the Warriors were unable to bring him home.
The Broncos added two insurance runs in the ninth on a two-run home run from Sebastian Arguelles to seal the win.
Stan State finished with six hits, led by Zach Lewis who went 3-for-5. Jacob Reyes added two hits, including a double.
Austin Balentine (5-2) took the loss, allowing four runs, three earned, over three innings. Herman Luna surrendered four runs in relief, while Evan Fanconi recorded a season-high six strikeouts over the final three innings.
Cal Poly Pomona starter Andrew Campbell (6-1) earned the win, allowing four runs, just one earned, over five innings. Anthony Cosme recorded the save with four scoreless innings and seven strikeouts.
Warrior Notables
Zach Lewis: 3-for-5
Jacob Reyes: 2-for-3, double, run
Evan Fanconi: 3.0 IP, 6 strikeouts (season high)
Stan State continues its home-stand Saturday, March 21, hosting Cal Poly Pomona in a CCAA doubleheader as part of Alumni Baseball Game festivities with first pitch set for 1:00 p.m. and game two scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Warrior Baseball Field. The series concludes Sunday, March 22, at 12:00 p.m. for SnoCone Sunday in Turlock.
The Warriors then travel to San Marcos for a four-game CCAA series against Cal State San Marcos, beginning Friday, March 27, at 3:00 p.m. The series continues Saturday, March 28, with a doubleheader at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., before concluding Sunday, March 29, at 11:00 a.m. All games will feature live stats and streaming on FloCollege
